Thursday, October 28, 2010

The newest feature on the Hartford Hawks Women’s Basketball Blog returns for its newest installment. The Where Are They Now section will be updated every few weeks with an update from a former member of the Hartford women’s basketball team. Cedric Quackenbush, women’s basketball manager, will catch up with former Hawks and provide an update on their life after basketball. If you have a question or a possible topic for a future Where Are They Now feature, email athletics@hartford.edu.

Where Are They Now: Checking in with former Hartford guard Allison (Macca) Reyes!

It’s been eleven year’s since Allison Reyes (formerly Macca) put on a Hartford jersey and stepped onto the basketball court for Hawks. Heading into her senior season, which also served as the first year for head coach Jen Rizzotti in 1999-2000, Reyes wasn’t sure what to expect. When she returned back to campus for the fall of her final college season, she and her teammates were greeted with a new set of standards and expectations from their new coach.

“Looking back I remember how hard Jen (Rizzotti) worked to get to know all of us on a personal level off of the court and it made embracing her very easy,” Reyes said in a recent interview. “We were all very excited to have her and she was received well by the team. That year was an all around great experience.”

Her playing days may be over, but she has still managed to stay involved with the sport she loves. After her graduation from the University of Hartford with degrees in both math and education, Reyes served as a graduate assistant coach at Hartford in 2001.

She relied on that experience when she took over as the head coach for the varsity girl’s basketball team at Ledyard High School in Connecticut in 2006 while also teaching math at Wheeler High School in Stonington. In four years as head coach, Reyes transformed Ledyard from a one win team in her first season to a team that went to the state tournament in two of the past four years.

“It was tough to get the players to buy into the work ethic and intensity that I brought with me from my playing and coaching days at Hartford,” said Reyes of her experience at Ledyard. “The first year was very challenging but over time the girls bought into it and it turned into a great experience.”

While teaching at Wheeler, Reyes had the opportunity to teach current Hawks junior Keyokah Mars-Garrick in the classroom. “She was one of my favorite teachers,” said Mars-Garrick when asked about having Reyes as a teacher. “She was really good at getting through to her students and made class really interesting and fun.”

Despite a busy schedule which also includes coaching varsity girls lacrosse, Reyes still enjoys following the Hawks and say’s she’s not at all surprised about the level of success Hartford has reached over the past years. In the past, she has brought her high school team’s to games and still tries to follow them online.

This past spring she and her husband Michael welcomed their first daughter Ella on March 10th. Reyes plans to take a break from coaching this year to enjoy more time with her daughter and her husband, who also serves as the varsity boy’s basketball coach at Stonington High School.

Friday, October 22, 2010

This week’s women’s basketball blog features an interview with sophomore forward Nikkia Smith.

Nikkia discusses the differences of being a sophomore on the team and also provide an update on how practice is going. Nikkia also provides a unique look into the team’s recent trip to a high adventure ropes course at Camp Jewel.

Weekly video updates will continue throughout the season and will touch on many different topics. Do you have an idea or a question you would like to ask a coach or player? If so, email athletics@hartford.edu with your question and stay tuned for the answer.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

The University of Hartford men’s and women’s basketball teams officially kicked off the 2010-11 season at the annual Midnight Mania held on Friday, October 15 at the Chase Family Arena at the Reich Family Pavilion. After introductions to the crowd of approximately 1,600 students and fans, the Hawks were treated to a special performance by special guest host Jamie Drastick of his hit new song “You Just Like My Car.”

Check out the video on the right for senior Amanda Weaver’s thoughts on her final Midnight Mania as a Hartford Hawk and for a quick look at Jamie Drastik’s live performance.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

The University of Hartford women’s basketball team was picked to finish second overall in a preseason poll of the league coaches, while the head coaches also picked senior Jackie Smith as one of seven players on the preseason All-Conference team.

The Hawks return two of three starters from the 2009-10 team including both Smith and Ruthanne Doherty who earned postseason honors on the All-Conference Third Team and All-Rookie Team, respectively. Smith finished the season averaging 6.2 points and 3.2 assists-per-game, which both lead all returning players. Doherty returns after averaging 6.0 points and 4.8 rebounds-per-game as a rookie who started 21 of the 32 games.

Friday, October 8, 2010

This week’s women’s basketball blog features an interview with freshman guard Alyssa Englert.

Alyssa discusses the transition from high school to college, adapting to college practices and getting to know her new teammates. We also have a chance to learn a little about Alyssa and what she likes to do outside of basketball.

Weekly video updates will continue throughout the season and will touch on many different topics. Do you have an idea or a question you would like to ask a coach or player? If so, email athletics@hartford.edu with your question and stay tuned for the answer.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

The Hawks had their annual photo day on Thursday afternoon. Watch the video to see some of the new pictures as they were taken and some of the behind the scenes footage. Be sure to check HartfordHawks.com to see the complete photo gallery once its posted.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The women's basketball team kicked off the 2010-11 season Tuesday with its first official full-team practice. The Hawks return a pair of starters from the 2009-10 cast, which includes senior point guard Jackie Smith and sophomore Ruthanne Doherty, who both earned post season honors last year.

Smith will look to guide the Hawks back to the America East Championship, after leading the team to its first ever undefeated conference campaign in its 34 year history. Doherty will have large shoes to fill, needing to step up following the loss of the 2010 America East Player of the Year Diana Delva, and the Defensive Player of the Year Erica Beverly.

The women’s basketball team will spend the next six weeks preparing for the 2010-11 season opener against Central Connecticut State University. The season is scheduled to tip-off in New Britain, Conn. on Friday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m.

Season tickets for the 2010-11 season are still available for as low as $70. Contact the Malcolm & Brenda Berman Athletics Ticket Office at (860) 768-HAWK (4-2-9-5) or email tickets@hartford.edu for more information or to reserve your season tickets.